Torquay United Fans Forum

The Torquay United guideline (if there was one) should read:
CEASE DRUMMING!!

For once I feel optimistic. Usually I am the one who forecasts heavy defeats (I thought we would lose 0-5 at Shrewsbury), but I think the tide has turned and that we will come away with a decent win. Thus:
Crewe Alexandra (0) 1
Torquay United (1) 3

Att: 3,087.

The current state of the teaching of English in our schools is made apparent in the initial posting of this thread.

Yes! Please! Take it there as soon as possible! As long as it's not in the pop.side deafening us, annoying us and making us feel murderous then by all means play the bloody thing.

Two home defeats on the trot (and three dire performances); tactics that are eccentric; winning streak gone, losing streak arrived - a recipe for disaster. Sooner or later we're going to get a thumping, and this could be it. So:
Shrewsbury Town (2) 6
Torquay United (0) 1.

Att: 6,006.

I agree with Mr. Yellowmurphy. The need for a midfielder has been strong all season, and is growing stronger match by match. Mind you, a more up-market centre-forward wouldn't go amiss either.

In the Second Qualifying Round of the F. A. Cup Sheffield F.C. drew 2-2 with Northwich Victoria, in front of a decent crowd (relatively speaking) of 422. David Graham saved the day for Sheffield by equalising in the 86th. minute.
For those who are even longer in the tooth, Rodney Jack (who older contributors will recall playing for us in the mid 1990s) played for Nantwich Town in the F. A. Cup today. Unfortunately they lost at home to Whitley Bay Athletic in front of a crowd of 344 (the score was 2-3), but Rodney scored a late consolation goal in the 70th minute.

After today's dire showing, we could do with him here.

We're on a losing streak. Also, very few are going to go out on a dark, cold night to watch another defeat.

Torquay United (0) 0
Aldershot (2) 2

Att: 1,636.

I should have given Robertson *** in my report.

Some information for today's absentees: If you had thoughts of promotion, prepare to shed them now. If the Accrington match was dire, this was even worse, especially after the first ten minutes which seemed so promising. But early missed chances proved disastrous for us; we had two early on, and then hardly anything at all. The first half was just about acceptable, while the second half was very poor indeed. For those of us who harboured deep suspicions about United's place in the higher reaches of the table, this match showed that those suspicions, hitherto kept silent, may now be voiced. Why on earth did we become so awful (nothing but long balls hopefully humped forward) after showing in the first ten minutes that we could produce decent movement? How did we become so bad in the space of a few minutes? I am not a football tactician by any means, but even I could see that what was happening on the field wasn't working, wasn't going to work, and never would work. Also it's becoming very clear (again) that certain players aren't really up to it. The attendance, falling, will be even worse on Tuesday night. I shall not be there. The thought of driving 100 miles on a dark night to watch what will quite possibly be the same dire stuff served up is not appealing. However, if we hope for a low to middle table placing at the end of the season we will not be disappointed.

My 5 star awards:

Bevan * and a half (the poorest showing by a United 'keeper for some time - get Poke back quickly!)
Senda ** (one or two decent touches, nine or ten bad touches. To blame for the first goal)
Nicholson *** and a half (works well with Stevens)
Branston *** (generally solid)
Robertson (every team needs 'The Big Boot' - and he is it)
Mansell *** (ok)
Wroe ** (is he up to Football League standard? Doubts are growing stronger)
Stevens *** and a half (on the whole a good game. When he an O'Kane went off, TUFC went to pieces)
O'Kane *** and a half (My MoM. Unusual for three and a half stars to get MoM - this shows the overall poor quality of the afternoon's performance)
Benyon ** (I have never been convinced)
Zebroski *** and a half (at least he's consistent)

Subs: Carlisle * and a half (oh dear - all pace gone)
Gritton ** (we would do much better with Sills on loan)

Back to square one, I'm afraid.

Unicus David Graham!
Illic unicus David Graham est!
Unicus David Graham!
Illic unicus David Graham est!

Huc eccam!
Ibi eccillum!
Circumundique veneris eccam!
Collis Kevinis, Collis Kevinis.

Odemus Argyle et odemus Argyle,
Odemus Argyle et odemus Argyle,
Odemus Argyle et odemus Argyle,
Invidiae Argyleorum sumus.

O Isca! Est plenus merdorum,
O Isca! Est plenus merdorum,
Plenus merdorum, merdorum, et plus merdorum
O Isca! Est plenus merdorum.